​Ex-Texas Prosecutor: 10 Days In Jail For Ex-Prosecutor

An ex-prosecutor in Texas, Ken Anderson, who helped send an innocent man to prison for nearly 25 years, agreed to a 10-day jail sentence and community service Friday for charges involving a wrongful murder conviction.

Anderson also will be disbarred and must serve 500 hours of community service as part of a sweeping deal that was expected to end all criminal and civil cases against the former district attorney, who was the face of the law in a tough-on-crime Texas county for 30 years.

Anderson, 61, never spoke in his return to the same Williamson County courthouse where he served as a judge for 11 years before resigning in September.

Sitting behind Anderson in the gallery was Michael Morton, who was released from prison in 2011 after DNA evidence showed he didn’t beat his wife to death in 1986.

“It’s a good day,” said Morton, surrounded by family members.

Asked if he felt satisfaction in watching the role reversal — Anderson at the defense table, waiting to be put behind bars — Morton took the high road.

“It was one of those necessary evils, or distasteful requirements that you have to do in life,” he said. Morton didn’t dwell on the length of the jail sentence, saying the punishment “or lack thereof” was as much as the legal system could dole out at this time.

Anderson entered a plea of no contest to contempt of court. The charge stemmed from a 1987 exchange when Anderson, then the Williamson County district attorney, was asked by a judge whether he had anything to offer that was favorable to Morton’s defense. He said no.

But among the evidence Morton’s attorneys claim was kept from them were statements from Morton’s then-3-year-old son, who witnessed the killing and said his father wasn’t responsible. There were also interviews with neighbors who told authorities they saw another man near the Morton home before the slaying.

Judge Kelly Moore said Friday the case against Anderson revealed a difficulty in determining justice.

“There is no way that anything we can do here today can resolve the tragedy that occurred in these matters,” Moore said. “I’d like to say to Mr. Morton, the world is a better place because of you.”

Anderson must report to the Williamson County jail by Dec. 2. Morton’s attorneys acknowledged Anderson could serve as few as four days with good behavior and time already served. A judge had ordered Anderson’s arrest in April on the contempt and tampering charges.